Mcgrath sisters talk

  It was hidden in the dark depths of my linen closet.  We were sure it had gone out with the trash. Halleluiah!   Nicer weather.  David was working out in the garden today (mainly talking to the neighbour over the back fence).  I was tempted to sit outside and watch him work, but there was a cool wind, so I think it will be a couple more days before I take my book outside.  I just found out today that the sale in Lorette is next Saturday, not on the 13th, so this will be a busy week, as there are two meetings out in Lorette and David has a driving assessment on Wednesday, to which I must drive him and then sit and wait for however long it takes.  Then I have to price and tag whatever I take with me--and I haven't really decided that. So best get as much relaxation as I can today.  Then it will be back to the grindstone. 

  With sore knees there is no crawling.  Best get in shape for some "bum-walking".  Ask me how I know. but seriously, I know how hard things get when you're incapacitated like this.  Please take it easy and don't hurt yourself any more.  Knees take a long time to heal.  Tell your dog that if he doesn't shape up you'll tell your big sister about him, and then  there'll be hell to pay. 

  I guess you know where this is going…..  I put on my knee brace and took Lucky out. We even went into the field next door. Then the freezing rain started so we headed home. We were actually home when he spotted a squirrel under the car and took off. Before I could let go of the leash I was down on the ground and he was in the garage trying to get the squirrel. Ripped the knee out of my pants (and out of my knee!). I even bruised my thumb!  At least I fell onto my right side, which only means I have two sore legs now. I figure I will feel pretty sore tomorrow. And Jim never told me I had dirt all down the side of my face. He figured that I would have guessed it (🙄). Since we won nothing at meatdraw last night we went out and bought some hamburger today. I wanted a couple of other things but nothing was on sale. I guess I will wait until the next sale starts. Jim did grab some sausages so that I can make perogies and sausage tomorrow.  With the salad that I took out...

  Sleeping as needed, resting as needed, and relaxing without feeling guilty.  Guess what?  The house doesn't look neglected, we have clothes to wear, and food to eat.  What more could I ask?  Well, maybe I could ask for the mental strength to carry on this way.  It felt particularly good to sit at the table and read rather than keeping a book in the bathroom for whatever 5 minutes I could grab out of the day. This has meant that there is very little to talk about in terms of what we've ben doing.  David has his new vacuum to play with.  That play goes a long way to keeping the floor clean, but now we've agreed that it's time to have the carpet cleaned. (Ka-c-c-ching!)

  Yesterday we were up and off to our Doctor's 6:15 appointment.  I had great difficulty sleeping Tuesday night and was running on about 3 1/2 hours sleep, and this really affected my driving.  Once home, I went straight to bed, slept for almost 3 hours.  The same was true in the afternoon, up for a bit over lunch and back to bed until about 4:00. Then an evening vegging out watching tv.  This was very scary, but I think that I was really exhausted, perhaps something that had crept up on me over time.  I missed my meeting out in Lorette, which I regret, but Gail phoned about 4:45 and bought me up to speed with what happened.  It was early to bed, so, of course, I'm now up and have had breakfast before 6:30am. This has scared me enough that I'm looking at my lifestyle, and acknowledging the need to cut back in some form. I can't do it all.  But I'm darned if I'm going to give up my studio time.  Yet that appears to be the most easily expendabl...

  It is just the same here still related to weather but there may be some improvements during the next few days which is encouraging. I am always feeling chilled to the bone and wearing sweaters and sweat shirts around the house, and drinking tea to try to warm me up. But mark my words, come summer when they predict the hottest weather ever...I will be eating those words and wishing for cooler days haha! Last two weeks of "doctoring " Bailey culminated with another major surgery on Tuesday. We brought him back home yesterday and I have been "nursing" him since with much more to do in next little while. It truly breaks my heart to see him go through what he does, but he always comes through it in a stoic and spunky manner. He is a real trooper. So there has not been too much else to fill my days lately. I watch the greenhouses, still covered and heated, and water the plants once in a while, but no work done outside at all. The sorting and purging in side has slowed f...

  Not too much one can do outside these days except wait for the temperatures to rise and the sun to shine. Will not happen soon from reading the forecast. But then i read about your weather and snow piles and have to thank my lucky stars we are not in the same boat. I had fun reading the Free Press this morning and the feature article with pictures about the renovations to occur at the old The Bay store (many thanks again Pati, for opportunity to be able to read the article in their entirety.) The inside tour by the photographer took us from floor to floor and eventually to the Paddlewheel. Included pictures of the elevators and bathrooms as well, just for our pleasure and remembrance haha! What I noticed with great dismay though was how much the interior had deteriorated from misuse and abuse. I sure hope that the imagined renewal will materialize as planned.  Bailey dog sure had us running and worrying last week culminating in two surgeries and three Vet visits and a really...

I have a distinct impression that I have typed this before, perhaps in the studio blog.  None-the-less, I will proceed. Wednesday, the group in Lorette was invited to see the show at the local high school  .   It was at 10:30 am, so I have to assume it was a dress rehearsal.  It brought back so many memories of when I was in high school and all of the shows were Gilbert and Sullivan, and all of the costumes were rented.  But this time the costumes were either home made from articles of clothing and an added face mask, or carboard spoon, knife or fork attached to the chest, or created in the school Fashion room ( sewing when we were young).  The sets were probably made in-house as well and were excellent. After the show the weather got much worse, and I came home, only to have the weather get nice again.  I probably was on the highway during the worse of it. Thursday, I got up and as part of my routine, checked my calendar.  Right there in bla...

  The driving is getting to me.  David relaxes when he drives, but I "white knuckle" it all the way.  We've also been doing more power cooking for the past couple of days--14 servings of turkey casserole--good thing we like it, 4 servings of meat balls, in two different types of gravy, 4 servings of ribs, and 2 of hamburger patties. David ground the turkey after our Easter dinner, and it was quite a bit more than I anticipated before I thawed it and started to work with it.  Lesson learned.  Stick with the turkey that I buy for $5/lb.  I've kept on top of things and the kitchen was cleaned thoroughly after every dish.  This has meant very little studio time--less than an hour a day.  I've been trying to make collages using the Gelli prints we made last Thursday, but the few prints I made are not very good, in terms of value and variety.  So I need to plan a Gelli printing day at home.  I've happened on a free "year long?" on-line worksho...

  ...and living where we live. That's good news.  And so my "gorgeous" day from the last post has indeed turned ugly. I spent some time yesterday afternoon moving plants into the greenhouses and then others such as kale that can stand a bit of cold, under some covers. It has rained and sleeted and is now snowing. The next two week's forecast much of this same weather. And so it is what it is! Good news from my Physio though and I am happy and grateful for that. I am improving and he has increased me to a resistance band with a higher tension and encourages me to continue with my exercise routine. In my case he says it is endurance that my muscles need to become strong again because they were very poor to begin with. In other words...keep at it and do not falter with my daily workouts. He stated that he could tell that I was doing my exercises because of the improvements with each visit, and that others come in who have not done what was planned and he can easily tell ...

Recovering from the hustle and bustle of last week is proving slow.  I'm sleeping about 12+   hours out of the day, and for the last two days also had an hour's nap.  This really isn't normal for me, and getting up by 11:00, and then napping doesn't leave many hours for accomplishing anything. Yesterday we grocery shopped-period.  Together we cooked a chicken for supper, but nothing else except toast.  I'm feeling a little better this morning, but want a slow day as tomorrow will be busy.  The craft group has been invited to the school to watch the school production of Beauty and the Beast.  It's at 9:45 am, and is probably the dress rehearsal, but could prove a fun day.  Then my conscience kicks in and questions whether it's fair to be out at an event like that if I can't carry my weight at home.  At the same time, while at home, I'm wanting to get to the second half of our play day last Thursday, and turn the Gelli prints I made into collag...

 .... and I know it is a tease as i look at the forecast and see some not so nice weather in the near future. So many plants have already been taken outside the greenhouses and sitting around the yard. But these will all have to be protected when the weather turns to mixed or snow and the night temps dip to below zero. Harry has already put out a message for people who would like some kale plants.. so far only one taker but I am sure that will change. The ground is still too cold and still frozen is some places so another month or two before anything could could be planted. But the little rhubarb plants are popping their heads up already - i cleared all the leaves off and put up some little fences to protect them. I so love to have the rhubarb come and look forward to some baking when it is big enough to pick. Monday i go back to the Physio for an assessment and treatment and hope he sees some good improvements with my strength. I would like to set up a maintenance plan and maybe n...

  And the last of the three sisters has her birthday for another year. I hope you had a great day!  I saw the doctor this morning. Good and bad. Bad because there is nothing that anyone can tell me until after the MRI. Good because he agreed with me. I have (in self defence because of “advice” from people) been saying there is nothing wrong with my knee.  It is just a symptom of what is wrong. So, no, I don’t have to wear the knee brace and walk with a cane all the time. Yes, if I walk outside the brace is a good idea so that I don’t have to concentrate on keeping my knee straight, but I do not need it while sitting it in the house as long as I am not too tired to concentrate. He did say if I walk I should walk, then sit….. walk then sit. I won’t be leaving the yard but I can walk and even take Lucky for short walks ( in the yard). Jim says we should just spread chairs out all over the yard.  If I feel I can vacuum or wash floors go ahead but do not move furniture or...

  Or maybe they wouldn't be so  busy if I could get out of bed at a decent time.  Much doesn't get accomplished if you sleep to noon.  Friday I was that I didn't want holidays to be just one more day in our house, so we planned an Easter dinner for the two of us. Nothing in the freezer would fill the bill, so we went grocery shopping and ended up buy half a turkey, some asparagus, and dessert--an interesting looking "Tuxedo" cake--half white and half chocolate.  Everything else was in the pantry.   I've never cooked a half a turkey.  It was close to 6 pounds, and I timed it that way was it wasn't quite done before the potatoes and asparagus were ready, but finally we sat down to enjoy our feast.  The turkey was a disappointment, and after supper we ground it up to make Turkey Casserole with. Finished the asparagus, but saved the extra mashed potatoes tonight, with some nice beef strips in gravy.  The cake was quite fine, but what I had t...

  I have no memory of either of them.

Another post ........ This morning I mentioned the "thought to be" owl outside flying away when I startled it. It brought me to mind the many, many owls I have here inside. What to do with all the owls one might ask? Below are two pictures of owls that are special to me and have been staying close by me, by hanging on a bedroom wall... for ages. So here is the quiz for you to ponder and respond please. I know the answers, but do you??? Do you recognize one of these owls? If so, what can you remember about it? Did you give me one of them? If so, which one? This is just for fun, so no prizes if you are on track. A bit of silliness goes a long way these days. And heavens knows we all need a bit of silliness even if we cannot be together to dish it out or take it, face to face. That's all folks..... got to do my night chores and then grab my book and read until lights out. XX

Yes, we have next Thursday to get ready for.  So much work and most of it is last minute.  Today I plan to pack the bag to take with us, as we'll be spending a good part of the day with Gail and her friend Laurie, while the three of us play with our Gelli pads.  (Laurie is making a home made one for Gail.)  Then it'll be out for supper and home, as we're told that the crew will likely be gone by early afternoon.  In the meantime, David is working on getting stuff ready for either a summer Garage sale or the thrift store. Yesterday it was the wine rack being given consideration.  The new de-humidifier would  best placed where the wine rack is, and there are less than a dozen bottles on the rack now, and none planned for the future.  Almost got it sold yesterday but the deal fell through. Hehe. Have either of you ever read books by Preston & Child?  I quite enjoy most of them, and have been reading ones about an archeologist (female)  ...

  Here we are at Easter already ...hope you all have a pleasant weekend to celebrate and a special moment thinking of family. We will be staying home for Easter this year, so might be quiet for us. Plan to visit Mike next Thursday - perhaps a special day for me haha! 😂 I expect Pati you will be busy with the house prep for next Thursday. And after seeing pictures and hearing on the news about the weather in Winnipeg and surrounds, it may not be so nice after all. The WFP referenced the storm on April 5 1997 that was the fore bearer for the Flood of the Century. How you must remember that year...and hope this will not be too bad for water. Took Bailey out early and with the closing of the door, a sudden flutter in the Maple tree and out flew a huge bird flapping his broad wings and flew off to a tree in the back yard. I am sure it was an owl as what other big bird could it have been? I was amazed and I imagined it would bring us all good luck and health. Lets count on it.... Readin...

And it came, and is still falling.  People are out and about though, and traffic appears to be moving well.  The sidewalk plough has already been by.  This is the one that caused so many problems over the winter, leaving windrows for us to drive over when getting out of the driveway.  We were out yesterday to the thrift store, to drop off a car load, and the library.  No stop for food though.  I hope David has enough milk. We are doing a fairly deep purge.  I worry that we're sending things to the thrift store that might have sold in a garage sale.  The garage sale pile is not very big.  Now we have to worry about setting up things for the mould remediation next week.  This is going to be huge job, mainly for David. The final stage of the job is a fogging of the whole house to kill spoors.  All bedroom cupboard shelves have to be empty, and any clothing well spaced.  Furniture must be 6" from outside walls. And beds have to be...

It is Spring but you would never know by the weather. We were given another blast of Winter yesterday as well and I see that you folks may be in for more snow today. The best part is that it will melt as witnessed from yesterday. We headed out to Huntsville in a real blizzard with poor driving and visibility. Not too bad a trip coming home and by afternoon the sun was shining and sky was blue and what I had to shovel from the driveway and the pile left from the plough  - heavy, wet snow at that - was melting away to nothing. There is hope folks 😃 I received a funny call from the Librarian yesterday about a new book they had ordered in and wondering from me about it. I guess I had a conversation with her about Kelly Armstrongs new book in the Casey Duncan series. I mentioned it was a new series as they were moving on to a new situation with new characters, and I was excited to read the first one. So when the book came in yesterday to the Library, it stated that this book was descri...

  It is snowing. Wet, heavy snow. And has been since early afternoon. With the wind blowing(as usual)!it is ugly out. Oh well. This too shall pass. Kellie came over today and cleaned my entrance. Washed walls and floors. I was really down knowing how dirty it was, so my mind is much happier now. She would have walked Lucky but he hates the wind too, so he happily stayed inside. She left right after supper and made it home safe. She was going to come back and stay the night if the highway was too bad. She made it home in good time so it wasn’t that bad. Jim won (another!) turkey at meat draw so I will definitely be cooking one next weekend. I see lots of turkey soup in my future. I have a knee stabilizer now. I find I am not wearing it at home cause it is uncomfortable when I am sitting (which I am doing a lot of) but I do use it when I leave the house. I don’t plan on going anywhere this week until my doctors appointment on Thursday (unless we take Lucky to the dog park) but all I ...